Just thinking about multi diode builds... Would making 2 or 3 direct press spots in the same host in a triangular array or side by side then only using a normal lens work? eg:
OO or OO
.O
I know that power loss might be an issue, but would you even need to do anything to combine the 3 separate photon sources except for focusing the lens?

NK.....Yes one can arrange multiple LD's in a close pattern.....But....what provides apparent brightness....is Photon density /Cm2....meaning that... side by side beams will not be perceived as luminous/bright as will combined beams.

Also...there is a real mechanical challenge of multi-LD alignment. AND....IF the alignment issues are solved....what of heat transfer. A classic " Blivitz " There is a limit....with current optic/mechanical mounts...as to how many components can be supported in the HH format.

It is a reality that each LD is NOT in perfect alignment of the die to the LD case. These imperfections are very, very small....but over a very long distance....they are displayed !!!

SOooo....when combining multiple diodes....some method to "Steer " the beam must be used. You have two (2) choices...1) Steer the beam....or 2) Mechanically....have the abillity to manipulate the LD.....and once positioned....the abillity to lock it down.

Even with the use of complicated projector optics....there needs to be the option to re-adjust the optics. Any design that does not have that abillity....is flawed.

SOoooo...that means....forget the idea of alignment....then epoxy !!! Eventually...re-alignment will be necessary.

NO...I have no video of the Tridentis....with ALL three (3) LD firing into an LPM, My Laserbee II will not handle that high of power....SOoooo....you ask...." How the hell do you know you have a PO of 6.7W ????"....mmmmmm ????

Well...one can (and I did) fire each LD...individually.....and add the results.....so...that comes up to 6.7 W....in total....9mm are well known to have an individual PO in the 2.2 ~ 2.5 W range....All the Tridendis does is combine them into a very, very tight farfield geometry.

As our PO increases.....so does our demand for higher power meters....It just never ends !!!!!

When you use the Flexmount from Laser Show Parts ( As is used with the Tridentis )....to steer the beams...beam control and beam stability are ..." In the bag " !!!....not a problem at all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The beams in many, many projectors are controlled with Flexmount's. They work...and work well....and provide EXTREMELY fine adjustment / control over the beam direction !!! AND...are extremely stable. AGAIN....when we use existing technology....we get a " boost" from that technology.

The Tridentis is a serious work...with serious attention to detail. MMMmmmm ??? I am “convinced “ that the Tridentis provides a serious solution to beam alignment in the Combiner class of Hand Held pointers….and delivers great beam alignment.

CDBEAM=======>

Last edited by CDBEAM777; 09-29-2013 at 04:27 PM.
Reason: More Blah, Blah

How about 300 ft.? Combiners work great for projectors but you just end up with an ever expanding 3 dot predator site if you try to make a beam. That according to my friend from MIT who works with lasers professionally and is also not convinced.